The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, has constituted and sworn in chairmen and members of the Local Government Election Tribunals ahead of the August 30 council elections in the state.
The tribunals, set up to cover the three senatorial districts, have Chief Magistrate Kilsi Giadom as Chairman of the Rivers East Senatorial District Election Tribunal, with Promise Green and Christian John-Jaja as members.
Chief Magistrate Harry Sotonye Linda will chair the Rivers South East Election Petition Tribunal, while Anthony Enyinda and Azubuike Georgewill will serve as members. For the Rivers West Senatorial District Tribunal, Chief Magistrate Chimenem Okekem was appointed Chairman, with Israel Dagogo Israel and Ala Atonibere as members.
Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony, Justice Chibuzor-Amadi charged the chairmen and members to discharge their duties fearlessly, firmly, and without bias in the overall interest of the state. He reminded them of the confidence reposed in them by the judiciary and urged them not to betray that trust.
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The Chief Judge also drew attention to the recent amendment to the law, which now provides five days for the filing of petitions and thirty days to conclude all hearings after the elections, contrary to the initial three months.
Reacting to criticisms from a non-governmental organisation, Pilex Center for Civic Education Initiative, led by Nsirimovu Courage, said that the constitution of the tribunals amounts to endorsing illegality, Justice Chibuzor-Amadi maintained that the Rivers State Local Government Election Tribunals Law of 2000 (as amended) empowers him to set up the tribunals, especially in the absence of any court judgment against the elections.
